Features of GPS Watches

Modern-day GPS watches come equipped with the ability to track your current location, your speed, the distance you have covered as well as your current elevation. However, not everyone uses all these features. You might not need to invest in a watch with certain capabilities you will never use. You can easily do without these features, and your user experience will not suffer in any way.

With this in mind, it is important to be cognizant of the features that you can do without, and, thereafter, choose a watch that does not have such features. Keep in mind that the more features-rich a GPS watch is, the more expensive it will be.

That being said, you should note that it is not just a matter of opting out of certain features without reasons. There are certain features that are essential and or very beneficial to the activities you want to engage in.

For instance, if you are purchasing a GPS watch to track your running endeavors, a heart rate monitor is crucial. On the other hand, if you are investing in a GPS watch for mountaineering, a barometric altimeter is an important feature to have in your GPS watch.

Features Of GPS watches

Features of GPS Watches

Herein are some of the GPS features that are typically incorporated into GPS watches.

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1. Time Tracking

2. PedoMeter

3. AltiMeter

4. Heart Rate Monitor

5. Training program

6. Water Resistance

7. Battery Life

1. Time Tracking

The time tracking feature is an important feature for those looking to do timed exercises, especially athletes. There are 2 versions of time tracking. The first one being elapsed time tracking. The second mode of this feature is the split-time tracking feature, which allows users to measure the specific segments.

While the first type of time tracking will suffice for many users, having the ability to track specific segments gives you the ability to determine your strongest segments and your weak points. This will guide on where to make improvements, which can be the difference between a podium finish and lower rankings.

2. Pedometer

A pedometer is another important feature for runners, almost as important as the right orthotic shoes from Orthotic Shop. The pedometer calculates the distance, covered by tracking the foot strikes. It also combines timing data with distance covered. Data collected from this feature as well as data from the odometer enables runners to track your training. This data enables you to keep track of your progress and your pace as you run.

3. Altimeter

An Altimeter is an important feature for runners and mountaineers alike. This feature will measure your elevation change when climbing a mountain, simply jogging up a hill, or skiing down a mountain. The data collected from this feature will improve your understanding of the progress. For instance, runners can track their overall progress, even when they have covers a very short distance in a long period of time.

4. Heart Rate Monitor

There are some watches that are equipped with an in-built heart rate monitor which detects your pulse on the wrist. However, for a more accurate reading, they should be paired with a heart rate strap worn across the chest.

The strap is worn under the running clothes, thereby providing a far more accurate pulse reading. The signals are transmitted by the strap to the watch, giving you a very accurate reading of your pulses.

5. Training Program

There are some GPS devices and watches that feature an integrated training program. As such, you can choose a training program right in your watch and follow it. Alternatively, there are other GPS watches that allows users to upload training programs to the watch. Furthermore, the watches can track your training details in relation to the training program you are using.

6. Water Resistance

If you are using your GPS watch to track your swimming activates, this is a must-have feature. However, even runners should purchase watches with water resistance, ideally with a rating of up to 50 meters. Swimmers need a watch with better waterproofing performance, ensuring their tracking watches are not damaged during training.

7. Battery Life

As you can appreciate, you want your GPS watch, and any other electronic gear such as phone or MP3 player that you use during training for that matter, to last all through the training sessions. Therefore, when you are choosing your GPS watch, you should consider how long your swimming, cycling, running, or any other training sessions take. Thereafter, ensure the GPS watch purchase comes with ample battery life to take you through tour training sessions.